Kia Soul problems
267 owner complaints with NHTSA, no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the engine was repaired or replaced.
- 9 fire-related complaints and 1 crash-related complaint on the engine
- Reliability score 7.4/10 — around the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Top trouble spots 7 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
My Kias engine had been burning oil i learned at an oil change. I was informed the engine was burning a lot of oil and i had to replace it myself.. i then decided to do an oil consumption and engine test. Kia dealership checked my engine said it looked great but i was burning…
The oil light flickers at idle.... weak oil pressure. Blowby issues. Oil consumption an usage excessive...only has 130.000 miles. taken consistent care of it on oil changes. Motor louder than normal. Ticking sounds an loud tacking. I think the engine going south. The date…
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while either stopped at a stoplight or while making a turn, the vehicle would lose motive power. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with fuel system failure due to trash in the fuel tank. The vehicle was…
My vehicle check engine came on and it went into limp mode, and I was unable to accelerate over 60mph on my trip from Greensboro, NC to Wilmington, NC. I drove the entire 200 miles in the right lane with my flashers on. To have it towed would have cost me over $600, so I decided…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2017 Kia Soul reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.4 out of 10 based on 267 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2017 Kia Soul is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2017 Kia Soul?
On the NHTSA data, the 2017 Kia Soul is one to avoid unless a specific vehicle proves otherwise. The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the engine was repaired or replaced. The record behind that call: 9 fire-related complaints and 1 crash-related complaint on the engine; Reliability score 7.4/10 — around the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2017 Kia Soul?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 159 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 87,630 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The engine is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 87,630 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Kia Soul has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2017 Kia Soul?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 267 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $3,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.